- It gives me great pleasure to
address you today and to host tonight’s function to
celebrate the opening of the Commonwealth Advanced Seminar.

- It’s particularly pleased to welcome such a diverse
group of participants Many of you have travelled a long way
to be here, and I welcome you to Wellington, New Zealand,
and to the Grand Hall of Parliament. It’s great to have
almost every corner of the globe represented today - both
Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth countries.

- I would
also like to welcome our colleagues from the Commonwealth
Secretariat and Victoria University of Wellington, who,
along with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, have developed the Commonwealth Advanced Seminar over
the years.

- The seminar highlights the success that can
be achieved when different agencies collaborate for a shared
goal.

- As Minister for New Zealand Official Development
Assistance I see great value in opportunities such as this.

- You will be aware that this government is in the
process of making big changes in how New Zealand delivers
its aid.

- In a few days we will be able to announce the
name of the new aid agency, and its new top executive.

-
We are now turning towards a focus on poverty reduction as a
primary objective of its ODA programme. Poverty elimination
is fundamental to achieving equitable social and economic
growth. And of course growth will help eliminate poverty.

- But none of this is possible without effective
governance structures and dedicated leaders.

- There is a
saying that “when the winds of change blow, some people
build windbreaks and others build windmills”. Your
attendance at this seminar shows a commitment to reform and
strengthening governmental structures, and I commend you for
taking on what is not an easy task.

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